Convinced all up-and-coming music sounds the same? I was too. It’s easy to get discouraged when it seems the latest artists have taken one of two routes: the pop/electronica/synthesized route or the folk/independent/string band route. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with either of the routes; I have favorite artists who fit into each category. The quality is great, but the variety – not so much.
Just when I thought there was no hope, Alt-J showed up. I think it is safe to say there is no current artist who has a sound anything like theirs. The band knew they would be set apart in their sound from the beginning and made sure to name themselves accordingly. The name Alt-J actually refers to the triangular Latin symbol delta. On a Mac computer, the delta can be typed by holding down the Alt key and J key simultaneously. Clever, eh? In the band’s bio, in reference to the delta, band member Gwil Sainsbury says, “In mathematical equations, it’s used to show change.” A change indeed, Alt-J.
Alt-J is a quartet comprised of UK natives and Leeds University graduates Joe Newman (vocals), Gwil Sainsbury (guitarist/bassist), Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards) and Thom Green (drums). After an incredible debut album release in May 2012 (five years after band formation) entitled “An Awesome Wave,” Alt-J’s transcending sound quickly traveled overseas to America and has permeated radio stations, music magazines, an Academy Award-winning movie soundtrack, acclaimed music venues and iPods all over.
So, what makes Alt-J’s sound so different? In short, Alt-J manages to pull off a sound with a wide spectrum of musical influences. I would definitely categorize them as experimental. You name it, they have got it: folk, rock, hip-hop (beats), indie, pop and electronica paired with intelligent and bare-all lyrics. Plus, Newman’s voice is nothing short of eerily beautiful. Sound kind of weird yet? I will not deny their weirdness, but weird in the best respect possible.
Expanding on Alt-J’s lyrics, there are many songs that reference other pieces of art, “Breezeblocks” and “Matilda” being two of them. “Breezeblocks” references Maurice Sendak’s famous “Where the Wild Things Are” with the lines “Please don’t go, I’ll eat you whole.” “Matilda,” according to Newman from Rhyme and Reason blog, was birthed out of inspiration from a gripping scene in the movie “Léon: The Professional” starring Natalie Portman.
Although there are many random facts and background bits that make Alt-J awesome and intriguing, nothing will give a feel for them more than checking them out for yourself. I know I am not alone when I say listening to “An Awesome Wave” on repeat has yet to get old.
In encouragement for you to listen, I could not agree more with Hannah Grace VanCleave, a junior majoring in public relations, who summed it up perfectly.
“Their weird, eclectic sound grabs your attention and makes you want to dig deeper,” she said. “You get so wrapped up in the songs and the beat, and everything just seems right.”
Give them a listen, and triangles will quickly become your favorite shape.
